Endicott Men's Soccer Announces 2019 Recruiting Class

BEVERLY, Mass. — Endicott men's soccer head coach Joe Calabrese is pleased to announce his recruiting class for upcoming the 2019 season.

The class of 2023 features six graduating high school seniors set to join the Gulls' program: Will Poreda (Duxbury, Mass.), Gabriel Chaves (Secaucus, N.J.), Jason Weinstein (Trumbull, Conn.), Victor Tong (Shanghai, China), Cole Elgin (Franklin Lakes, N.J.), and Zach Regulbuto (Somers, Conn.). 

The Gulls will also bring in two transfer student-athletes in Connor Ross (Atkinson, N.H./Clark University) and Kobe Barnes (Hartford, Conn./Newbury College).

Coach Calabrese, heading into his ninth year at the helm of the program in 2019-20, had this to say about the group:

"This collection of high achieving student-athletes will look to push our social, academic, family, and soccer culture forward during the next three to four years. We'll lean heavily on them to build and strengthen our culture of high expectations and working hard year round. It's a great combination of captains, leaders, and skilled players. We're thankful this group of young men decided to pursue their degrees at Endicott." 

ENDICOTT MEN'S SOCCER 2019 RECRUITING CLASS

WILL POREDA / MIDFIELD / 5-8/165 / DUXBURY, MASS / DUXBURY HS / LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL

Highlights: Attended Duxbury High School… 4-year varsity starter… 2017 Patriot League Champs… Voted by his team as Two Year Varsity Captain (2017, 2018)… 2018 Team MVP… 2016, 2017, 2018 Patriot League All-Star…  2018 Eastern Mass All-Star… Liverpool FC IA-10 years… Club Captain for 5 years… 2017 US Club Soccer National Cup Champions & Mid-Atlantic Regional Champions… MA ODP Region 1: 2016/2017 Regional Training Pool… MA ODP Player for 6 years (2012-2017)… MA ODP 2001 Team Captain 2015, 2016.  

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott because it has everything I was looking for in a college. The school is big enough to offer diversity and small enough to still feel like a family environment. The hospitality management program is top notch and the internship program will provide great experience prior to graduation.  I played for Coach Calabrese at MA ODP and was impressed with the style of play and the hard-working atmosphere he created for us.  During my visits to Endicott, it was obvious that the team was very close and that Coach Calabrese has developed a very supportive family environment.  From a soccer perspective, the skill level and coachability of every player was very high.  I'm excited to be a part of the college and the soccer program for the next four years."

GABRIEL CHAVES | FORWARD | 5-7/150 | SECAUCUS, N.J. | HIGH TECH HS | IRONBOUND SC

Highlights: 13 Years as Captain for Ironbound SC... 4-year varsity player... Attended the 2018 ODP 2000 Iceland Showcase after progressing through the NJ ODP and Region I ODP teams... 2018 Top Goal Scorer in all New Jersey Boys High School Soccer (38 goals) setting a school record for goals (38) and assists (10) in a single season... 2018 SCANJ High School All-Star Game... Two-time High School All Group Team... Two-Time High School All-Conference Team... 2018 NY Redbull Academy Practice Player... 2017 ODP Florida Inter-regional Tournament Champions... Selected for 2016 Super Y League inaugural USL Experience Cincinnati, Ohio as well as 2017 Super Y League USL Experience San Antonio, Texas... Two-time Super Y League National Player Pool... Two-time Super Y League Top Goal Scorer... 2015 Top Drawer Soccer Combines: Super Y Regional Scouting Series Region I Boys XI Top10.

Why Endicott? "Endicott offers me both academic and athletic opportunities that I feel are unmatched anywhere else. I felt at home from the moment I stepped on campus and had an incredible experience playing soccer at the recruiting camp. Academically, I feel I will be able to really succeed especially with Endicott's internship program. The soccer program is built around a great staff and players who all share an immense love for the game as well as a drive to succeed which creates an ideal atmosphere for me. I am excited for these next four years to learn and grow while hopefully lifting some trophies along the way with my new family."

JASON WEINSTEIN | STRIKER | 5-11/185 | TRUMBULL, C.T. | TRUMBULL HS | AC CONNECTICUT

Highlights: 2017-2018 CT All-State Selection… All FCIAC 1st Team Selection… Four-year varsity letter winner at Trumbull HS… 2018 Team Captain… Overall Team Record 49-16-14… Set all-time THS scoring record with 45 goals and 99 career points… 3 year starting forward on a team that won an FCIAC championship in 2016 and 2018 and was a 2017 Finalist… Scored winning goal during 2018 FCIAC championship game and during 2018 CT Senior Bowl Game… 2017-2019 striker for AC Connecticut Club Team, scored winning goal in 2017 CT Club Cup Championship… 2018 Runner up… Played in U.S. Club National in Indianapolis in 2017… Played for Beachside Academy in 2015.

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott because the first time I stepped on campus to see my brother play soccer for the Gulls, I immediately got a great vibe from the nice campus and the students and people on it. With an impressive Sports Management program at the school, it only made my decision easier. The beautiful campus draws you in as soon as you step foot on it, making it hard to leave. I've also been in contact with Coach Cal for a few years while having my brother on the team, which really helped me realize that Endicott is where I want to be. It also really helped to know a few guys on the team. I cannot wait to start this new journey for the next four years. Go Gulls!"

VICTOR TONG | FORWARD | 5-6/130 | SHANGHAI AMERICAN SCHOOL PUXI | STOKE CITY FC ACADEMY SHANGHAI

Highlights: China Cup Soccer Runners-Up (3x)... China Cup Soccer Champion... Shanghai Cup Soccer Champions (3x)... Shanghai International Schools Activities Conference Champions (3x)... Tri-Cities Soccer Champion... Asia Pacific Activities Conference Runners-Up... Shanghai Premier League U16 Runners-Up... Shanghai Premier League U17 Champions... Shanghai Premier League U18 Runners-Up... Shanghai Premier League U19 Champions (2x)... Shanghai Premier Futsal League Champion (3x)... Played for Ebbe Sand Soccer Academy U16, U17, and U18.

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott because of the internship & sports management program. Adding on, the school's location and the exciting soccer program coach Cal has built can help me grow not only as a student and player but also as a better person. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone."

COLE ELGIN | CENTER BACK | 6-4/185 | FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ | RAMAPO HS |  PLAYERS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY

Highlights: Played for the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) U12-U19... Helped team qualify for playoffs in 2017 and 2018... In 2018 the team was ranked 8th in the nation.

Why Endicott? "I liked everything about Endicott, from its sense of community and campus setting to the classroom sizes, and opportunities. The college has a great Exercise Science program which is the major I want to pursue. Also, I was very impressed with the seriousness and professionalism of the soccer program, the coaching staff, and the camaraderie of the team."

ZACH REGULBUTO | GOALKEEPER | 6-1/195 | SOMERS, C.T. | SOMERS HS | OAKWOOD DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY

Highlights: Played for Oakwood Soccer Academy in the USSDA for the past 5 years as a Goalkeeper... Made it to playoffs in the Pre-Academy division of USSDA during the 2016-17 season... Qualified and competed in the Academy playoffs during the 2017-18 season... Invited to and attended two U.S. Soccer Training Centers in 2014-15... Honorable mention in TopDrawerSoccer article after a playoff game during the 2017-18 season.

Why Endicott? "I decided to attend Endicott for a plethora of reasons. From the amazing internship opportunities to the welcoming environment, and the feeling of togetherness across the team. I truly believe Endicott will help me personally to become an outstanding member of society and in the professional world. These are all the reasons why I chose Endicott to be my home for the next few years." 

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(Photo Credit - David Le)